This document provides an introduction to environmental studies. It defines environment and explains that environmental studies is a multidisciplinary field that draws from life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, engineering and technology to understand both the biotic and abiotic components of the environment and their interactions. It also discusses some of the key issues addressed in environmental studies like natural resource conservation, ecology, environmental pollution, social and population issues, and sustainable development. The document emphasizes that environmental studies is important for protecting resources like water, air, land and ensuring a sustainable future and highlights emerging career opportunities in the field.

1. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Chapter 1: Introduction
Dr. Basudeba Behera
Assistant Professor
Indian Institute of Information Technology Dharwad,
Karnataka, India
[1] http://www.neiu.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/geography-environmental-studies

2.  “Environment” is derived from the French word Environner which means to encircle or
surround [2].
The definition given in Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,
 Environment includes all the biological and non-biological things surrounding an
organism.
 Thus environment is sum total of water, air and land, inter-relationships among themselves
and also with the human beings, other living organ- isms and property.
 i.e. the environment includes all the physical and biological surroundings and their
interactions.
Introduction to Environmental Studies
Indian Institute of Information Technology Dharwad, India 2

3.  Life Sciences help in understanding the
biotic component and their interactions
 Botany,
 Zoology,
 Microbiology,
 Genetics,
 Biochemistry and
 Biotechnology
Knowledge inputs required to study environment
 For dealing with the socio-economic aspects
associated with various developmental
activities.
 Education,
 Economics,
 Sociology and
 Mass communication
 The physical and chemical structure of the
abiotic components and energy transfer and
flow are understood with the help of basic
concepts of
 Physics,
 Chemistry,
 Geology,
 Atmospheric Science,
 Oceanography and
 Geography.
 Effective tools in environmental modeling
and management.
 Mathematics,
 Statistics and
 Computer Science
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4.  For protection of the environment various technologies dealing with the control of
environmental pollution, waste- treatment and development of cleaner technologies
 A synthesis with Environmental Engineering,
 Civil Engineering,
 Hydraulics and
 Chemical Engineering
 Environmental laws provide the tools for effective management and protection of the
environment.
 Environmental Studies, therefore, is a multi-disciplinary subject where different aspects
are dealt with a holistic approach.
Knowledge inputs required to study environment
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5. Scope of environmental studies
 Natural Resources - their conservation and management
 Ecology and biodiversity
 Environmental pollution and control
 Social issues in relation to development and environment
 Human population and environment
 Environmental studies can be highly specialized also which may concentrate on more
technical aspects like
 Environmental Science,
 Environmental Engineering,
 Environmental Management,
 Environmental Biotechnology etc.
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6. Environment is a closely and intricately woven network of
components and functions.
 The river water polluted by industrial or municipal discharge at one point
would seriously affect the downstream aquatic life.
 Damage to the forests in a hilly region will have far reaching effect not only on
the hills but also on the plains.
Some major issues like global warming, depletion of ozone layer, dwindling
forests and energy resources, loss of global biodiversity etc. that are going to
affect the mankind as a whole and for that we have to think globally.
 For dealing with local environmental issues, e.g. the impacts of mining or
hydro-electric projects, solid waste management etc. we have to think and act
locally.
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7.  Environmental studies is very important since it deals with the issues like
 safe and clean drinking water,
 hygienic living conditions,
 clean and fresh air,
 fertile land,
 healthy food and
 development that is sustainable.
There is a need for trained manpower at every level to deal with environmental
issues.
New emerging career opportunities for environmental protection and
management.
 Environmental law,
 business administration and
 environmental engineering
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8.  With the pollution control laws becoming more stringent, industries are finding
it difficult to dispose off the produced wastes.
 In order to avoid expensive litigation, various companies are now trying to adopt
green technologies, which would reduce pollution.
 It is estimated to be more than $ 100 billion per year for all American business.
 A $ 200 billion market for cleaning up the former east Germany alone.
 This is essential if we want to live in a clean, healthy, aesthetically beautiful, safe
and secure environment for a long time and wish to hand over a clean and safe
earth to our children, grand-children and great grand children
 In India also the Pollution Control Boards are seriously implementing pollution
control laws and insisting on upgradation of effluents to meet the prescribed
standards before they are discharged on land or into a water body.
Pollution
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9. Need for Public Awareness
In 1992 Earth Summit, a Conference on Environment and Development by the
United Nations in Rio de Janeiro held
In 2002, 10 years after the first summit the World Summit on Sustainable
Development at Johannesburg, have high- lighted the key issues of global
environmental concern and have attracted the attention of the general public
towards the deteriorating environment.
There is a Chinese proverb
If you plan for one year, plant rice, if you plan for 10 years, plant trees and if you plan
for 100 years, educate people.
If we want to manage our planet earth, we have to make all the persons
environmentally educated.
Henry D. Thoreau rightly says “What is the use of a beautiful house if you don’t
have a decent planet to put it on”
Even if we begin today, the restoration is expected in the next 40-50 years [1].Indian Institute of Information Technology Dharwad, India 9

10. 1. http://www.neiu.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/geography-environmental-studies.
2. PERSPECTIVES IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES by A. Kaushik, C.P. Kaushik.
Reference
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11. Thank You
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